To Start I want all of you to drive down to the Main Fire Station down in North Little Rock (Argenta) they have a “Fallen Firefighters Memorial” that is just beautiful! I drive by it on the way to work everyday and just marvel at the craftsmanship.
We are having an open house Sunday, praying that we accept the Lords will and that it not be a selfish plan, but his plan with us as the pieces.
Work is great! I love it and I am fulfilled I get to help out those in need (All Departments of DHS including foster kids, elderly, etc.) without the emotional attachment. It’s a win win for me.
My brother Aaron is home and has a job right next door to me in Medicaid billing.
Soccer is back in full swing and we are gone 4-5 days a week, but enjoying it. Jacob was voted by his peers - best “Player in the air” which basically means he can control the ball mid air, head in goals, chest trap to his feet, etc. That was pretty cool. We will be going to Jackson, MS - Germantown, TN - Springfield, MO – Conway and LR Tournaments this Spring Season.
Kobie is doing “Awesomely good” as his teacher Mr. Mike puts it. He can already look at any new sheet music and start playing. That’s so exciting to see him thrive at something. I am tickled pink. His attitude towards life has changed now that he’s enjoying something.
Dylan is as sweet as ever and being very analytical. We finally had a breakthrough a few weeks ago…he turned yellow (a bad note) at school. He had finally talked to other kids. Mrs. Lupton said, “When he talks it’s very thought out and it will blow you away how much he understands- the depths of issues”. He is starting to remind me of our good friend Mr. K, when he talks you better listen up, b/c it’s going to be something worth listening to.
With all that said, I could not do what I do without the enormous help of everyone. JoBeth and Bob taking my kids to bass lessons, soccer practice, dentist appointments, etc. Crystal helping out with the boys getting them out of my hair while Adam and I finish the house. Jeff (Adam’s Brother) doing the great woodwork and handyman stuff in our home. Granny & Papaw for allowing a place for all of my junk (de-cluttered the house) and offering us a place to stay (worst case scenario- which isn’t that bad at all). David & Nancy watching the boys. Mammy Jammy coming over and doing bedtime routines during Adam’s and our date nights / soon to be the great black tie gala (02/24- Pics to come). The support, encouragement, and love from my three best girlfriends (Steph, Shana, Larronda) allowing me to vent my insecurities & life issues without judgment. Last but not least thanks to someone special who lent me a book that was a very quick read (I am not a reader) but loved the subject and it reaffirmed what I am doing and will continue to do in the future as far as schools are concerned. Thanks Mrs. Chino...you don't know how much I needed it - we had two calls the week I was reading the book; one from the principal on both our boys and one from Jacobs teacher.
My mind is put to rest knowing that I have so many great loving people around me. Years ago, we all know I wouldn’t have accepted any ones help, but I have come to the realization that it takes a village to raise a few boys.
Much to do all at once…taking a deep breath. House is finished and sign is in the front yard, very anxious, excited, and a tad sad...but mainly b/c this is my first home.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Houses Houses
To update you all. Adam had this great idea of paying off all of our debt and starting over. That’s what we’ve been doing; we are down to one car payment and snow balling the heck out of all these medical bills. Given I haven’t worked full time in over 5 years there were A LOT, mainly Kobie’s two ear surgeries. Medical bills will be a constant in our household and we have a large amount budgeted in for these ER visits NOW…but back then we did not have the resources to get these paid.
We have been debating the idea for about 3 months to purchase a new home for us a little bit larger with a more open plan (yes I know our house currently is open, but I was searching for some larger closet space). No, I haven’t submitted or done anything that I haven’t wanted to do myself. We have put an offer, contingent on ours selling, on a house off Locust (closer to the water tower / Off Kiere) it’s new and lovely and planned out exactly how we had always wanted NO WALLS! He he. Those who know me all too well know that I bought this great house on Loch Ln. and drug Adam along for the ride (I was very strong willed (to say the least)). He has never liked the house because of that… (I’m assuming here).
This has been our home for 8 years and I love it, most of you thought I would die here, but it’s just a structure. We are selling our house with a new heat and air unit (Trane) a new kitchen, (All Appliances will stay) fridge, gas range, deep freezer, and washer and dryer, it’s beautiful and quaint (hardwood floors) the only TWO drawbacks to our current house is that there is no Garage and only 1 ½ bath.
The original carport was converted into a Kick butt laundry (that holds washer/dryer, deep freezer, large closet, elliptical machine and a huge window seat that holds all the sporting equipment- to give you an idea of the size) and great sun room (we have used for a music room, a play room and even a formal dining room)! The driveway was re-done so it doesn’t look like you are driving into a house, you have a circle drive. The yard has tons of flowers and trees and is on one of the largest lots in Lakewood (over 13,000 square feet) a block down from the Old Mill. We are pricing it low so it will sell quickly and we can start off new again together…on the same page…equally liking a home. Don’t worry about storage Adam built a great storage unit in the back yard (with loft – so the kids couldn’t reach saws and poisons).
There is only 1 ½ bath. We have it down to an art with showers and baths for 5 people and anyone can do the same, the water heater is less than 10 years old and heats up super quickly, the plumbing is all new and tied in with the city (no birch pipe here) we have put in about $30 k worth of repairs and upgrades. So that’s why we are asking 130,000. If we sell it through a realtor or if you buy through your realtor we will raise the price to accommodate their fees. JoBeth (Adam’s mom) will have it on the market by Valentines weekend, so if you are interested or know anyone who is let us know by then and will exclude them from the realtor fees.
I had made a list, Oh a LONG List of requirements that it would take to swoon me to another house. They were very strict about 20 key factors were required. Some of them were; I wanted a huge walk in master closet (so I wouldn’t have to switch in seasons), and a bath with jets, and a great kitchen (only loss here is my wine rack, lazy susan, two bin trash cans, and deep drawers (which I can get organizers from Lowes and install them and they will replace those losses) - I’m spoiled with my current kitchen. I had asked for a gas range / a flat top, 1700 Square feet or more, large open living space, laundry room, 2 car garage (that would fit this big suburban), larger master bedroom, fireplace, windows galore (I currently have an 11 foot window that looks over our deck to the lake behind us – you can see it clearly during the winter, the sunroom and laundry room have 7’ feet windows- I need sunlight), I wanted a flat area in my yard to accompany a dog run, I wanted a deck or patio (we currently have both), a front porch we could sit on, sidewalks down the streets, off the main road (We are hopefully getting on a cul-de-sac), the list went on and on…We searched high and low, I had originally wanted 4 br’s…but when we went looking at a 4br, the younger two said, “this is our room”, and I said “boys you can have your own rooms”, they were very confused as to why they would want that. And the more we thought about it, we just don’t want an enormous house when the kids will start filtering out in about 8 years…we need it large enough now, but still small enough that we can live with just the two of us and not feel like we are a mile apart if we were in two separate rooms…and I wanted a split bedroom plan, one b/c I hate the sound of Jacob grinding his teeth at night and screaming (he has night terrors) and if and when we have to move in an ill parent they’ll be close but still away in their own wing of the house. Needless to say, Adam and I stumbled upon this house.
This new house (on Allwood) is ready to move in and we would only have to purchase washer / dryer and a fridge and the all needed wine rack (ours is currently built into the kitchen cabinet work), and some bar stools for the island.
Best part is Tuesday the senate will vote on a stimulus package to give ANY homebuyer $15,000 tax credit or money to use on down payment or closing costs. This was a huge factor, so you could have a great incentive to live. http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/nation/stories/020509dnnatstimulus.40a4428.html
Our utilities (gas & electric), including water (volume of laundry I do is insane) are under $250/ month (which includes taxes).
We have been debating the idea for about 3 months to purchase a new home for us a little bit larger with a more open plan (yes I know our house currently is open, but I was searching for some larger closet space). No, I haven’t submitted or done anything that I haven’t wanted to do myself. We have put an offer, contingent on ours selling, on a house off Locust (closer to the water tower / Off Kiere) it’s new and lovely and planned out exactly how we had always wanted NO WALLS! He he. Those who know me all too well know that I bought this great house on Loch Ln. and drug Adam along for the ride (I was very strong willed (to say the least)). He has never liked the house because of that… (I’m assuming here).
This has been our home for 8 years and I love it, most of you thought I would die here, but it’s just a structure. We are selling our house with a new heat and air unit (Trane) a new kitchen, (All Appliances will stay) fridge, gas range, deep freezer, and washer and dryer, it’s beautiful and quaint (hardwood floors) the only TWO drawbacks to our current house is that there is no Garage and only 1 ½ bath.
The original carport was converted into a Kick butt laundry (that holds washer/dryer, deep freezer, large closet, elliptical machine and a huge window seat that holds all the sporting equipment- to give you an idea of the size) and great sun room (we have used for a music room, a play room and even a formal dining room)! The driveway was re-done so it doesn’t look like you are driving into a house, you have a circle drive. The yard has tons of flowers and trees and is on one of the largest lots in Lakewood (over 13,000 square feet) a block down from the Old Mill. We are pricing it low so it will sell quickly and we can start off new again together…on the same page…equally liking a home. Don’t worry about storage Adam built a great storage unit in the back yard (with loft – so the kids couldn’t reach saws and poisons).
There is only 1 ½ bath. We have it down to an art with showers and baths for 5 people and anyone can do the same, the water heater is less than 10 years old and heats up super quickly, the plumbing is all new and tied in with the city (no birch pipe here) we have put in about $30 k worth of repairs and upgrades. So that’s why we are asking 130,000. If we sell it through a realtor or if you buy through your realtor we will raise the price to accommodate their fees. JoBeth (Adam’s mom) will have it on the market by Valentines weekend, so if you are interested or know anyone who is let us know by then and will exclude them from the realtor fees.
I had made a list, Oh a LONG List of requirements that it would take to swoon me to another house. They were very strict about 20 key factors were required. Some of them were; I wanted a huge walk in master closet (so I wouldn’t have to switch in seasons), and a bath with jets, and a great kitchen (only loss here is my wine rack, lazy susan, two bin trash cans, and deep drawers (which I can get organizers from Lowes and install them and they will replace those losses) - I’m spoiled with my current kitchen. I had asked for a gas range / a flat top, 1700 Square feet or more, large open living space, laundry room, 2 car garage (that would fit this big suburban), larger master bedroom, fireplace, windows galore (I currently have an 11 foot window that looks over our deck to the lake behind us – you can see it clearly during the winter, the sunroom and laundry room have 7’ feet windows- I need sunlight), I wanted a flat area in my yard to accompany a dog run, I wanted a deck or patio (we currently have both), a front porch we could sit on, sidewalks down the streets, off the main road (We are hopefully getting on a cul-de-sac), the list went on and on…We searched high and low, I had originally wanted 4 br’s…but when we went looking at a 4br, the younger two said, “this is our room”, and I said “boys you can have your own rooms”, they were very confused as to why they would want that. And the more we thought about it, we just don’t want an enormous house when the kids will start filtering out in about 8 years…we need it large enough now, but still small enough that we can live with just the two of us and not feel like we are a mile apart if we were in two separate rooms…and I wanted a split bedroom plan, one b/c I hate the sound of Jacob grinding his teeth at night and screaming (he has night terrors) and if and when we have to move in an ill parent they’ll be close but still away in their own wing of the house. Needless to say, Adam and I stumbled upon this house.
This new house (on Allwood) is ready to move in and we would only have to purchase washer / dryer and a fridge and the all needed wine rack (ours is currently built into the kitchen cabinet work), and some bar stools for the island.
Best part is Tuesday the senate will vote on a stimulus package to give ANY homebuyer $15,000 tax credit or money to use on down payment or closing costs. This was a huge factor, so you could have a great incentive to live. http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/nation/stories/020509dnnatstimulus.40a4428.html
Our utilities (gas & electric), including water (volume of laundry I do is insane) are under $250/ month (which includes taxes).
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Sweet Tea
Adam and I have a lunch date every Wednesday, and this one was no different. We went to Iriana’s had a great lunch. After lunch discussions were finished I concluded that Adam will NOT get a 30th Birthday party as I had wanted, but it’s his choice.
Adam wanted to sit and finish his drink so I got his wallet and went to go pay and asked him, “Do you want a sweet tea to go?” He said, “Sure”. So I go to the register and the girl says, “separate checks”. I replied, “No we go home together, we pay together”. She smirked and said, “is that Adam at your table”. (Okay in my head I’m thinking yeah everyone knows my husband he travels and sees all kinds of people and it’s kinda odd b/c I’m paying with cash, she hasn’t seen a debit card or anything).
I said, “You must know him from when he worked at Stephens”. She said, “Adam’s been at my house with Hallie, (and 4 other names I don’t remember), he and I have partied”.
She looked down at my wedding ring and said, “oh wow he’s married, Congratulations!” (My Brian is spinning – What?) I said, “Yep” and asked for my receipt and sat back down at the table. Adam just looked at me and said, “Where is my sweet tea?” Needless to say I was a little flustered and he didn’t get his to go tea.
After 10 years you think I would’ve run into most of the people he’s known, well apparently not. I am constantly being introduced to his clients and associates. I feel like a “trophy wife” not that I’m all that to show off, but it’s FUN. It’s always an adventure and I’m glad we’re in it together.
Adam wanted to sit and finish his drink so I got his wallet and went to go pay and asked him, “Do you want a sweet tea to go?” He said, “Sure”. So I go to the register and the girl says, “separate checks”. I replied, “No we go home together, we pay together”. She smirked and said, “is that Adam at your table”. (Okay in my head I’m thinking yeah everyone knows my husband he travels and sees all kinds of people and it’s kinda odd b/c I’m paying with cash, she hasn’t seen a debit card or anything).
I said, “You must know him from when he worked at Stephens”. She said, “Adam’s been at my house with Hallie, (and 4 other names I don’t remember), he and I have partied”.
She looked down at my wedding ring and said, “oh wow he’s married, Congratulations!” (My Brian is spinning – What?) I said, “Yep” and asked for my receipt and sat back down at the table. Adam just looked at me and said, “Where is my sweet tea?” Needless to say I was a little flustered and he didn’t get his to go tea.
After 10 years you think I would’ve run into most of the people he’s known, well apparently not. I am constantly being introduced to his clients and associates. I feel like a “trophy wife” not that I’m all that to show off, but it’s FUN. It’s always an adventure and I’m glad we’re in it together.
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